Differential alcohol expectancies based on type of alcoholic beverage consumed

Expectancies regarding the global effects of alcohol are influential aspects of drinking behavior that can vary by type of beverage consumed. Lacking in the research literature is a thorough investigation of how expected effects and subjective evaluations of specific positive (e.g., increased sociability, relaxation) and specific negative (e.g., impairment, aggression) expectancy effects vary by different types of alcoholic beverages.

The present between-subjects study used a sample of 498 young adults randomized to complete a measure of alcohol expectancies based on one of three alcohol-type conditions (beer, wine, distilled spirits). Participants also indicated the typical amount consumed of the beverage. Separate multivariate analysis of variance tests were run to determine if differences existed among the three conditions for positive and negative expected effects and subjective evaluations.

Findings suggested that individuals may expect different effects from consuming different types of alcoholic beverages. Participants expressed more agreement that wine would have relaxation effects and rated this effect more positively. Participants expressed more disagreement that beer or shots would have effects on sexuality and rated sexuality effects more positively for wine. Participants reported less agreement that wine would have impairing effects, as well as more disagreement that wine would affect risk, aggression, and self-perception. Impairing effects of wine were also viewed less negatively than other condition beverages.

Findings suggest that individuals may hold different beliefs about the effects of wine, compared with beer and shots of distilled spirits. Research and interventions targeting general alcohol expectancies may miss important between-beverage differences in perceived effects and subjective evaluations regarding alcohol's effects.